Apparatus for straightening teeth.



PATENTED APR. 18, 1905.

W. B. SHELF.

APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING TEETH.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 27, 1904.

0M0 Wi /J wmumgll Patented April 18, 1905.

UNITED STATES PATENT EETcE.

\YILLARD B. SHELP, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING TEETH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 787,861, dated April 18, 1905. Application filed December 27, 1904. Serial No. 238,287.

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Be it known that I, WILLARD B. SuELr, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Straightening Teeth, of which the following is a specification containing a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for straightening teeth; and it consists of the novel features herein shown, described, and claimed.

In thedrawings, Figure l is a side elevation showing the adjustable clamp in position for use upon the set of teeth as seen looking in the direction indicated by the arrow 1 in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view as seen looking in the direction indicated by the arrow 2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective, upon an enlarged scale, of the adjustable clamp removed from the teeth. Fig. L is a side elevation showing the two rows of human teeth and illustrating the defects which my apparatus is intended to cure.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the sockets l and ll are adapted to be fitted and securely mounted upon the back teeth 12 and 13, one upon each side of the mouth, and the bearing-blocks l-l and 15 are rigidly secured to the outer sides of the sockets. The metal strap 16 has screw-threaded nipples l7 and 18 upon its ends, and said nipples are mounted in the bearings 1t and 15, and nuts 19 and 20 are screw-seated upon the nipples 1'7 and 18 back of the bearings Hand l5, so as to tighten the strap by tightening the nuts. A soft-rubber cushion 21 is secured to the inner face of the strap 16. After the sockets 10 and 11 have been secured to the teeth the strap is placed in position to extend from one socket to the other in front of the teeth, so as to press the cushion 21 against the front teeth It sometimes happens that the upper jaw 23 is considerably longer than the lower jaw 2 t and that the arch of the jaw is correspondingly narrow, and in these cases it is usual for the front teeth to project forwardly. \Vhen it is desired to treat a case of this kind, the adjustable clamp is applied as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and as the nuts 19 and 20 are tightened the front teeth will be pressed backwardly and the arch of the jaw will be widened, and after this treatment has continued for some time the shape and appearance of the teeth will be greatly improved.

The use of the rubber cushion 21 is of great importance, because it prevents the hard metal from pressing against the teeth, thereby causing pain, and it renders the device elastic to the extent of the expansive force of the rubber, thereby making the action of the clamp gradual or springy.

I clairn In an apparatus for straightening teeth: sockets adapted to be connected to the back teeth one on each side of the mouth; bearingblocks secured to the sockets; a strap having screw-tln'emled nipples extending through the bearing-blocks; said strap extending from one socket to the other; nuts upon the screwthrezuled nipples; and a rubber cushion secured to the inner face of the strap to engage the front teeth; substantially as specilied.

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this specification in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLARD B. Sl-IELP.

\Vitnesses:

ALFRED A. EICKS, EDWARD E. LONGAN. 

